(A) The owner of an animal which bites a human being shall immediately notify the Department of such bite and provide information to complete the required State Department of Health form (State Form 14072). If a doctor, veterinarian or hospital employee obtains information that a person has been bitten by an animal, such person shall forthwith notify the Department so that the required report can be subsequently completed. Each report shall be sent to the County Health Department for documentation and review.
(B) (1) Upon notification that an animal bite has occurred, the owner or keeper shall surrender to the Department the animal that is responsible for the attack for supervised strict confined observation. The period of confinement must be at least ten days in duration and under the supervision of either:
(a) The animal’s owner; provided, the owner’s home is equipped with an area to confine the animal and prevent it from having contact with any other human or animal; or
(b) A local annual hospital or veterinarian clinic.
(2) The owner shall be responsible for all costs associated with the animal’s confinement. Where possible, the Department shall give written notice to the animal’s owner upon confinement.
(C) Any rabies illness detected in the confined animal shall be immediately reported to the County Health Department. The animal’s owner shall then be financially responsible for having the animal euthanized and comply with the State Department of Health laws.
(1996 Code, § 9-44) (Ord. 2001-7, passed - -; Ord. 2004-14, passed - -; Ord. 2007-18, passed - -; Ord. 2013-14, passed 10-7-2013)